Bromoform
/ˈbroʊməfɔːrm/noun
A colorless, heavy, volatile liquid chemical compound with the formula CHBr₃, formerly used as a solvent and sedative.
Did you know?The prefix bromo- comes from Ancient Greek βρῶμος, meaning “stench,” a reference to bromine’s intensely unpleasant odor when it was first isolated.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
βρῶμος (brômos)
“Stench or strong, offensive smell”
1826
French
brome
“Bromine, named from Greek brômos because of its penetrating odor”
1830s
Scientific Latin
bromo-
“A combining form referring to bromine”
19th Century
Scientific nomenclature
-form
“A chemical suffix associated with chloroform-like compounds, ultimately connected with Latin forma, “form” or “shape””
19th Century
English
bromoform
“The bromine analogue of chloroform, CHBr₃”
Modern English
English
bromoform
“A volatile halogenated organic compound used historically as a solvent and sedative”